Rotary regenerator assembly having improved sealing means



April 16, 1963 c. P. KoLTHoFF, JR 3,085,625

ROTARY REGENERATOR ASSEMBLY HAVING IMPROVED SEALING MEANS 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 26, 1959 April 16, 1963 c. P. KOLTHOFF, JR 3,085,625

ROTARY REGENERATOR ASSEMBLY HAVING IMPROVED SEALING MEANS Filed Feb. 26, 1959 7 SheecS-Shee'tl 2 @MAQ/iw ho EN Ew April 16, 1963 ROTARY REGENERATOR ASSEMBLY HAVING IMPROVED SEALING MEANS C. P. KOLTHOFF, JR

7 Sheets-Sheet 5 April 16, 1963 C. P. KOLTHOFF, JR

ROTARY REGENERATOR ASSEMBLY HAVING IMPROVED SEALING MEANS Filed Feb. 26, 1959 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 MCD/LM QH-@ENE y April 16, 1963 c. P. KoLTHoFF, JR

ROTARY REGENERATOR ASSEMBLY HAVING IMPROVED SEALING MEANS Filed Feb. 26, 1959 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 April 16, 1963 ROTARY REGENERATOR ASSEMBLY HAVING IMPROVED SEALING MEANS Filed Feb. 26,

C. P. KOLTHOFF, JR

gygy/4m HHM.

7 Sheets-Sheet 6 IN VEA/rox? CPQc/z. @L7-Hopp de April 16, 1963 c. P. KOLTHOFF, JR 3,085,625

ROTARY REGENERATOR ASSEMBLY HAVING IMPROVED SEALING MEANS Filed Feb. 26, 1959 '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Z-N VENTO@ GPQ 01.2% I THO Je @MGM United States Patent O Filed Feb. 26, 1959, Ser. No. 795,689 Claims. (Cl. 165-9) This invention relates to a heat exchanger and particularly to Ia rotary regenerator of a type used in combination with gas driven turbines. More specifically the invention relates to an improved sealing arrangement for a rotary regenerator.

The rotary regenerator unit or assembly generally lcomprises a casing having a regenerator rotatably supported therein. The regenerator generally comprises a cylindrical permeable matrix. The casing'is divided into a high pressure chamber and a low pressure chamber through which the permeable regenerator matrix rotates. The high pressure chamber is generally connected to the compressor of a gas turbine and the low pressure chamber is generally -connected to the exhaust outlet of the gas turbine. Thus during movement of the regenerator `drum or matrix, the matrix is heated in lthe low pressure chamber by the exhaust gases and is then moved into the high pressure chamber whereupon the compressed ai-r in its travel through the matrix, is preheated prior to its delivery to the combustor of the gas turbine. One -of the most signicant problems of regenera- 4tor design has been the problem of sealing the low pressure chamber from the high pressure chamber in the area of the sealing elements through which the matrix is moved. It is a prime object of this invention to provide `an improved regenerator and sealing means having a high effectiveness so as to prevent blow-by at the area of the openings of the high pressure and low pressure chamber through which the regenerator matrix moves.

Another object is to provide an improved sealing arrangement for a rotary regenerator, the said sealing arrangement comprising rst and secondary seals in com- Ibination with circumferential seals which eiiiciently seal the various chambers of a rotary regenerator casing through which a regenerator matrix passes.

A more specific object is the provision of an improved regenerator seal having first and second seals which effectively seal `the passageways between the low pressure and high pressure chambers of the regenerator casing, the regenerator being movable through said passages.

A still further object is the provision of an improved regenerator seal, the said seal being adapted to efrectively seal the passageways between low pressure and high pressure chambers, said seals being iloatingly arranged to follow in effective sealing arrangements the movement of the regenerator as it is moved within a regenerator casing.

A still more specific object is the provision of a re- Igenerator seal comprising a housing in which movable shoes are supported, said shoes including seals which engage the regenerator matrix to effectuate primary sealing, said housing yfurther including secondary seals engageable with the shoes to effectively seal adjacent chambers of a regenerator casing.

Another object is to provide 4an improved circumferential seal adapted to effectively seal the Iupper and lower surfaces of `a cylindrical regenerator having a permeable wall construction.

These and other objects will become more readily apparent from a reading of the description when examined in connection with the accompanying sheets of drawings.

3,085,625 Patented Apr. 16, 1963 ICC In the drawings:

`FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a gas turbine having a regenerator unit positioned thereon in operative relation;

FIGURE 2 is an end View of the gas turbine and regenerator unit shown in FIGURE 1, the said view showing a compressor air inlet means;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the gas turbine and regenerator `shown in FIGURES 1 and 2;

FIGURE 4 is a cross sectional view through a regenerator casing taken along the line 4 4 of FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a cross sectional view of a trailing seal taken substantially along the line 5-5 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along the line 6 6 of yFIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary view of a portion of a seal taken along the line 7-7 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged side view of a gas turbine and rota-ry regenerator, portions of the regenerator being shown in section and portions of the gas turbine being broken away to illustrate certain elements of the invention;

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged cross sectional view through a trailing -seal taken substantially along the line 9-9 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 10 is a view taken substantially along the line 11i-11i `0f FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 11 is a cross sectional view taken substantially valong the line 11-11 of FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 12 is a schematic View showing the outlines of a regenerator matrix and leading and trailing seals in position;

FIGURE 13 is an enlarged cross sectional view through a regenerator matrix and upper yand lower circumferential seals taken substantially along the line 113-13 of the schematic View of FIGURE l2;

FIGURE 14 is a v-iew taken substantially along the line 14-14 of FIGURE 13;

FIGURE 15 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 1515 of FIGURE 14;

FIGURE 16 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 16-16 of FIGURE 14;

FIGURE 17 is a detail view of a circumferential sealing element;

FIGURE 18 is a cross sectional view through a portion of a leading seal, the said view being similar tothe View in FIGURE l1 (which shows the trailing seal) looking however in an upward direction.

FIGURE 19 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along the line 19-19 of FIGURE 1l;

FIGURE 2O is `a cross sectional view taken along the line Ztl-20 of FIGURE 11; and

FIGURE 21 is a cross sectional View taken substantially along the line 21Z1 of FIGURE 5.

Referring now particularly t-o FIGURES 1 through 4 and 8, a gas turbine is generally designated by the reference character 10. The gas turbine 10 comprises a gas turbine casing 11 having positioned thereon in superposed relation a regenerator casing 12. Ihe gas turbine 10 comprises a compressor air inlet shroud 13 communicating with `a compressor 14 which is suit-ably mounted for rotation with ya shaft 15 in turn connected to a compressor driving turbine 16. The gas turbine 10 is conventional in design including a drive turbine rotor 17 mounted on a shaft 18 within the gas turbine 11. The shaft 18 is provided at its Iopposite end with a drive pinion 19 which is in mesh with a gear 20 suitably connected to a power take oil shaft 21.

The regenera-tor casing 12 comprises a vertically and circumferentially extending side wall 22, and a top wall 23. The casing 12 also includes a scroll passage or compressor connection or chamber 24, which is in communication with an air chamber 25 provided in the regenerator casing 12.

As best shown in FIGURES 4 and 12, a leading Seal is designated at 26 and a trailing seal is designated at 27. The casing 12 also includes a bottom Wall 28 and a combustor chamber is designated at 29. The combustor chamber 29 is formed by a partition or wall 30 extending upwardly from the bottom wall 28 to the top wall 23. The partition or wall 30 also engages and terminates at the leading seal 26 and at Athe trailing seal 27. An exhaust chamber is designated at 31 within the casing 12. An exhaust outlet chamber of conventional design is designated at 31'. A combustor 32 is suitably mounted within the combustor chamber 29. The said combustor 32 `comprising an outer casing 33 and an inner casing 34, and includes a fuel injector 35 and an ignitor 36. Immediately below the combustor 32 there is provided, within the turbine casing 11, a passage 37 which is in communication with the compressor turbine 16. An exhaust passage is designated at 38, the said exhaust passage being in communication with the drive turbine 37.

A regenerator drum is generally designated by the reference character 39 as shown in FIGURE 8. The regenerator drum 39 comprises an upper wall 40 and a lower wall 41. A permeable matrix 42 of cylindrical shape is positioned Ibetween the upper wall and lower walls 40 and 41. The matrix 42 may be of conventional design which will afford permeability for air and gases to pass therethrough in a radial direction but is not permeable in a circumferential direction as is conventional in the art of rotatable regenerators. The regenerator drum 39 has an outer circumferential wall surface or wall 41 and an inner circumferential surface or Iwall 42. The matrix 4Z is positioned to rotate on idler rollers 43 and drive roller 44 suitably connected to the bottom wall 28 and top wall 23 of the casing 12. As shown in FIGURE 4, the drive roller 44 is suitably positioned to rotate the regenerator drum 39, the said drive roller 44, as shown in FIG- URE 1, being rotated by means of a regenerator drive arrangement 45 suitably connected 1to be rotated by the driven parts of the compressor 14, the latter not being shown in detail.

Referring now to FIGURE 1l, the trailing seal 27 is shown. The trailing seal 27 is identical insofar as the elements are concerned with respect to the leading seal which is shown in FIGURE 18. The difference between the trailing seal 27 and leading seal 26 is that the seal 26 is a mirror -reflection of the trailing seal 27 in that the certain parts are reversed. The pants so reversed can be clearly identified in the differences between FIGURES 1l and 18 but the same reference characters to the identical parts will be applied.

Referring now particularly to FIGURES 5, 6, 7, 9, l and 1l the trailing seal 27 comprises an outer wall 46 and an inner wall 47. A top wall 48 is connected to the outer wall 46 and inner wall 47 and a bottom wall 49 likewise is connected to the ou-ter Wall 46 and the inner wall 47. The bottom wall 49 is connected to the walls 46 -and 47 by means of screws 50 and the wall 48 is likewise connected tothe walls 46 and 47 by means of screws 51. A ventical plate 52 is connected to the wall 46 by means of screws 53. An inner vertical side plate 54, as.

best shown in FIGURE 11 is yconnected by means of screws 55 to the wall 47. A lower horizontal side plate 56, as best shown in FIGURE 5, includes cut out portions 57 which overlap lower edges of the plates 52 and 54. An upper horizontal side plate is designated at 58, the said plate 58 also including cutout portions 59 which are overlapped by the upper edges ofthe plates 52 and 54. Bolts 60 suitably connect the upper and lower plates 56 and 58 to the top wall 48 and bottom wall 49. The plates 52, 54, 56 and 58, as best shown in FIGURE 4, face or are disposed within the exhaust chamber 31 and exhaust outi let chamber 31', or as they may be called, the low pressure gas chambers.

As best shown in FIGURE 19 the plate 58 is provided with a horizontal recess 61 which is in communication with laterally disposed vertically extending recesses 62. The recesses 62 are in communication with recesses 63 and 64 respectively in the plates 54 and 52. 'Ihe lower plate 56 is provided with a recess 65 in communication with laterally spaced recesses 66 communicating with the recesses 63 and 64. The aforementioned recesses, as best shown in FIGURE 1l, face inwardly into the seal 27. Graphite seal members 67, 68, 69 and 70 are positioned with the seal member 67 in the recess 63, the seal member 68 in `the recess 64, the seal member 69 in the recesses 61 and 62 and the seal member 70 in the recesses 65 and 66.

Referring again to FIGURE ll, the seal 27 includes an outer vertical plate 71, and as shown in FIGURE 20, the said plate 7.1 is provided with an elongated recess 72 and an adjacent vertically extending slot 73. A graphite seal 74 is disposed in the slot 73 and is urged inward by leaf spring 86 as shown in FIGURE 1l. Further, an air side inner vertical plate 75 is connected to the inner wall 47, the said inner plate 75 having an elongated vertical recess 76 and a slot 77 positioned adjacent thereto and in substantially parallel relation. A graphite seal 78 is positioned in the slot 77 urged inward by leaf spring 78' as shown in FIGURE 1l. Screws 79 suitably connect the plates 71 and 75 respectively to the walls 46 and 47. As best shown in FIGURE 7, an upper horizontally extending member 80 includes a recess 81 containing the horizontally extending member 82. A U-shaped slot 83 is provided in the member 80 immediately below the cross piece 82, .the said slot having provided therein a graphite seal 84 which is normally urged inwardly by means of a leaf spring 85. The cross piece 80 is suitably connected to the upper member 48 by means of a plurality of screws 80.

Referring now particularly to FIGURE 2l, a lower cross piece is designated at 87, the said cross piece including a recess 88 in which a cross block 89 is positioned. Immediately above the cross block 89 there is provided a recess 90 in the member `87, the said recess `90 being of U-shaped construction as shown in FIGURE 20 and having located therein a graphite seal strip 91 normally urged in an inward direction by means of a leaf spring 92. Screws 93 sutiably connect the cross piece 87 and block 89 to the lower wall 49. The carbon sealing strips 74 and 78 extend into slots in the upper horizontal member 80, and lower horizontal member 87 and into intimate contact wtih horizontal carbon seal strips 84 and 91. The members 80, 87, 71 and 7S, as shown in FIGURE 11, are disposed on the high pressure side of the seal or face the chamber 25.

The trailing seal 27, as shown in FIGURE 5, is provided with a suitable passage 94 through which the matrix 42 moves. Similarly the leading seal 26 is provided with a similar passage.

Referring now particularly to FIGURES 9, 1l, 18 and 2l, the seals 26 and 27 both comprise an outer shoe 95 having an inner sealing surface 96 engaging the outer surface 41' of the regenerator drum 39. Also an inner shoe 97 includes a sealing surface 98 which engages the inner peripheral lsurface 42 of the regenerator drum 39. The sealing shoe includes a vertically extending back up member 99 having an elongated recess 100 in cornmunication with a plurality of openings 101 which communicate wit-h openings '102 provided in the shoe 95. The openings 101 communicate with a chamber 101 disposed behind the support 99. A lower seal shoe 103 comprising a sealing surface y104 engages the lower wall 41 of the matrix 42, the said seal shoe 103 being connected to a back up member 105. A spring 106 is suitably connected to the shoes 95 and 97 by means of screws 107 and 108 and resiliently connects the shoe 103 in the position indicated in FIGURE 9. As particularly shown in FIGURE 1l, the shoe 97 is suitably connected to a back up member 108 of channel shape having laterally spaced legs 198 which are engaged by the graphite seals 67 and 78. An upper seal shoe 109 is shown in FIGURE 9, the said shoe having a sealing surface 110 engaging the upper surface 40 of .the matrix 42. The shoe 110` is provided with a back up member 111, which by means of a spring 112, is resiliently urged against the top Wall 40', the said lspring being connected to the back up members 99 and 108 respectively by means of screws 113 and 114. 'It can now be seen that all of the shoes and the respective back up members are connected in unitary relation about the walls 40, 41, 41' and 42 of the matrix 42. 'I'hus they are floatingly supported within the seals 26 and 27.

Referring now particularly to FIGURES 8 and '12, the casing 12 is provided with upper and lower circumferential seals 115 and 116. The seal 115 includes a ring 117 which is suitably connected to the top wall 23. Similarly a lower ring 118 is connected to the Wall 28. Ihe upper ring 117 and the lower ring 118 are respectively provided with annular recesses 119 and 1201 as best shown Vin FIGURE 13. A plurality of graphite seal blocks 121 and 122 are supported within the recesses 119 and 120. The graphite seal blocks 121 and 122 comprise individual pieces having a length anywhere from one .to six inches, the said seal blocks 121 and 122 being generally of a triangular shape. The seals 121 and 122 may be identical, the seals 121 being positioned on top of the matrix 42 and the seals 122 being positioned below the matrix 42. The seals 121 and 122 are provided at one end with a triangular extcnsion 123 and at its opposite end with a diagonally extending substantially flat portion 124. 'Ilhe flat rectangular portion 124 of each seal 121 and 122 complements an adjacent triangular undercut portion 125 provided on each seal 121 and 122. Thus as best shown in FIGURE 15 the triangular extension :123 tits into the triangular undercut 125 of the adjacent member 121. Each of the members 121 and 122 is also provided with a matching face 126 matching the diagonal portion .12.4 so that when adjacent ends of the members 121 or 122 are placed in assembly with the .triangular extension 123 in tihe undercut 125, the end of the portion 124 and the face 126 are positioned together in substantially adjacent arrangement. Thus in other words, each seal member 121 and 122 is provided with a triangular extension 123 at one end and a triangular undercut 125 at its other end including at the said other end a projecting diagonal flat portion 124. FIGURE 14 shows the interengagement of the adjacent ends of the members 121 with the triangular extension 123 in the undercut 125.

Spring-like brackets 127 are suitably connected by means of screws 129 to the upper ring 117 at intervals about the periphery of the ring, the said brackets 127 including a vertical extension 128 which is placed between the diagonal rectangular portion 124 of one member 121 and the diagonal face portion 126 of an adjacent member 121. These brackets 127 serve to position .the graphite seals 121 and 122 to prevent their rotation as they engage the upper and lower surfaces 40 and 41 of the rotating regenerator matrix. The brackets 127 are suitably connected .to the lower ring l118 in the same manner as they are connected to the upper ring 117 with the exception, of course, that the brackets 127 of the upper -ring 117 face downwardly and the brackets 127 which are connected to the lower ring 11S face upwardly, this latter arrangement not being shown. Spring clips 130 are suitably connected by means of screws 131 to the rings 117 and 118 as indicated. The spring clips serve to engage the graphite seals 121 and 122 -to urge them into engagement with the upper and lower surfaces or walls 40 and 41 of the regenerator drum 39 and surfaces 119 and 120 of the rings 117 and 118. Thus the clips 130 resiliently urge the graphite seals so that effective sealing is obtained. The seals are kept against rotation by means of the brack- The operation of the gas turbine is conventional in that air is sucked in through the shroud 13 whence the compressor wheel 14 increases its pressure and forces the air through the scroll passage or compressor connection 24 to the air chamber 25. The air is forced through the matrix into the combustor chamber 29, through the combustor wherein the hot gases under pressures are forced downwardly through the passage 37 and against the compressor driving turbine 16 and against the drive turbine 17. Thus the compressor turbine 16 and drive turbine 17 are rotated in conventional manner. The exhaust from .the drive turbine 17 travels at substantially atmospheric pressure through the exhaust passage 38 into the exhaust chamber 31 through the matrix 42 to the exhaust outlet chamber 31 and out through outlets 132.

The regenerator 39 is provided, as previously stated, for the purpose of preheating the air as it is delivered to the combustor 32. The regenerator drum 39 is rotating and as a portion of the matrix 42 is positioned within the exhaust chamber 31, that portion is heated by means of the exhaust gases pas-sing through the matrix. That same heated portion then passes into the compressed air chamber 25 whereupon the incoming compressed air is forced through the heated matrix whereupon preheating of the said air takes place. This generally is conventional in rotary regenerators. The operation of the seals 26, 27, and 116 will now be described.

rIlhe purpose of the seal 26 is, of course, to seal the chamber 25 from the chamber 38 which like the chamber 31, as above described, is an exhaust chamber. Furthermore, the seal 26A seals the combustor chamber 29 from the exhaust chamber 31. The seal 27 performs a similar function. As indicated in FIGURE 11, the graphite seals 74 and 7 8 are pushed or urged against the sealshoe supports 99 and 16S by means of the leaf springs 86. Similarly the seal 134 is urged against the back up support 111 and the seal 91 is urged against the back up support 105. In operation air pressure assists the springs in maintaining the seal. Thus also .the seals 67, 68, 69 and 70 are urged into engagement with the back up supports 99, 108,

165 and 111 by the springs, and in operation by air pressure acting on the seals. Thus, in effect, an excellent seal is effected and yet the seal shoes and back up supports may move in sliding relation within the trailing seal 27 and the leading seal 26. 'Ilhe seal shoes which engage the upper, lower and inner and outer surfaces of the regenerator drum may be constructed of brass material or any suitable material which will closely engage the surfaces. As indicated before, the matrix may consist of a multitudinous arrangement of passages extending radially across the matrix -to provide for intercommunication with the adjacent chambers. .Such matrices` are conventional and .the matrix utilized Vin this invention is not described in detail. By virtue of the resilient springs, the seal shoes and back up members are `interconnected resiliently and are urged against the inner, outer, top and bottom walls of the matrix. Yet each of the shoes may have limited relative movement to accommodate variations which might occur in the regenerator drum itself. Also as the regenerator rotates, .the shoes may follow the movement of the matrix in a vertical or horizontal direction so that continuous sealing is eected even though the matrix may shift up slightly or down slightly or slightly in or out during the rotating movement. Thus while the seal shoes` effectively engage the matrix, the

seal shoes also by their engagement with `the graphite seals effectively are sealed to seal the chambers.

The purpose of the slot 100 and the openings 101 and 102 is to provide for intercommunication between the matrix and the rear of the back up support 99. Air under pressure which may be within the matrix thus enters into the chamber 101' to the rear of the seal shoe and back up member causing the same to be urged against the outer `face or wall of the matrix. Thus proper sealing is assured. Both seals .26 and 27 function in the same manner.

Referring now particularly to FIGURES 8 and 13 through 17, the circumferential seals -115 and 116 `also serve to suitably seal the chambers from each other during rotation of the regenerator drum thereby forcing all of the air to fiow through the matrix. The individual graphite seal portions 121 and 122 in effect form a continuous circumferentially extending seal engaging the upper surface 40 of the regenerator drum 39 and the lower or bottom surface 41. The spring clips 136 effectively resiliently urge the graphite seals 121 and 122 against the matrix surfaces and the brackets 127 keep the seals in position against relative circumferential movement. Also as noted in FIGURE 15, by virtue of the recessed portion 125 and the extension 123 of adjacent seals and their mating relation, effective sealing is obtained at the point of separation of the adjacent seals 121. Thus as shown in FIGURES 14 and 15, effective sealing is obtained at B and C even though the seals are individual portions. The individual seals are easily replaceable and are capable of adjusting circumferentially to accommodate expansion and contraction which might take place by virtue of the difference in temperature between the air and exhaust chambers.

Thus it is obvious that a new and improved sealing arrangement `for rotary regenerators has been disclosed. It must be understood that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope thereof as defined in the -appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A regenerator assembly comprising a casing including a circumferential wall and an upper and a lower wall, -a cylindrical regenerator rotatably disposed within said casing, said regenerator including a cylindrical permeable matrix having top and bottom walls and inner and outer circumferential walls, means for rotating said regenerator, a pair of sealing units circumferentially spaced within said casing, said sealing units each comprising a housing having an inner wall and an outer wall positioned in laterally spaced relation, first and second laterally spaced side members connected to said inner and outer walls of said housing, and top and bottom members connecting said housing walls and side members, said side members having circumferentially aligned openings conforming to the walls of the matrix and adapted to provide a passage through which said matrix is moved during rotation, said first side member having a first groove facing inwardly into said housing and extending around said top, bottom, inner and outer walls of said regenerator matrix, a first seal disposed in said first groove, an inner seal shoe in said housing adjacent the inner wall of said matrix, said inner seal shoe having laterally spaced sides, one side engaging said first seal in sealing relation, said second side member having a second groove facing inwardly into said housing and extending around said Itop, bottom, inner, and outer walls of said regenerator matrix, a second seal in said second groove, said other side of said inner seal shoe engaging said second seal in sealing relation, an outer seal shoe in said housing, said outer seal shoe having opposite sides engaging said first and second seals in sealing relation, upper and lower seal shoes, each of said shoes having sides engaging said rst and second seals in sealing relation, each of said shoes having sealing elements engaging the walls of the matrix in sealing relation, means connecting said seal shoes together in unitary relatively moveable assembled relation about said matrix walls, said assembly being slidably moveable within said seal housing, and a partition connected to said sealing units and to upper and lower walls of said casing to provide a plurality of chambers sealed from each other by said sealing units.

2. For a regenerator having a casing including at least two chambers, said casing including a cylindrical regenerator Khaving a permeable cylindrical matrix rotatable through said chambers; said matrix including top and bottom walls and inner and outer circumferential walls, a seal connected to said casing and associated with said matrix for sealing one of said chambers from the other comprising; a housing, said housing including spaced inner and outer walls and first and second laterally spaced side members connected to said inner and outer walls of said housing, and top and bottom members connecting said housing walls and said side members, said side members yhaving first and second circumferentially spaced aligned openings conforming to the walls of the matrix and providing passage means for said rotatable matrix, said first side member having a continuous first groove facing inwardly into said housing and `being coextensive around said first opening, a first seal positioned within said first groove, said second side member having a second continuous groove facing inwardly into said housing and being coextensive around said second opening, a second seal disposed in said second groove, resilient means in said second groove urging said second seal in a direction inwardly into said housing, an inner seal shoe within said housing adjacent the inner circumferential wall of said matrix, an outer seal shoe within the housing adjacent the outer circumferential wall of said matrix, upper and lower seal shoes within said housing, said shoes Ihaving opposite sides, said first and second seals engaging said opposite sides of all said seal shoes in sealing relation, a sealing surface on each of said seal shoes, and resilient means connecting said seal shoes whereby said sealing surfaces engage said top, bottom, inner and outer walls of said matrix in sealing relation, said seal shoes being relatively moveable with respect to said housing during rotation of said matrix.

3. For a regenerator having a casing including at least two chambers, said casing including a cylindrical regenerator having a permeable cylindrical matrix rotatable through said chambers; said matrix including top and bottom walls and inner and other circumferential walls, a seal `connected to said casing and associated with said matrix for sealing one of said chambers from the other comprising; a housing, said housing including spaced inner and outer walls and first and second laterally spaced side members connected to said inner and outer walls of said housing, and top and bottom members connecting said housing walls and said side members, said side members having first and second circumferentially spaced and aligned openings conforming to the walls of the matrix and providing passage means for said rotatable matrix, said first side member having a continuous first groove facing inwardly into said housing and being coextensive around said first opening, a first seal positioned Within said first groove, said second side member having a second continuous ygroove facing inwardly into said housing and being coextensive around said second opening, a second seal disposed in said second groove, an inner seal shoe within said housing adjacent the inner circumferential wall of said matrix, an outer seal shoe within the housing adjacent the outer circumferential wall of said matrix, upper and lower seal shoes within said housing, said shoes having opposite sides, said first and second seals engaging said opposite sides of all said seal shoes in sealing relation, a sealing surface on each of said seal shoes and resilient means connecting said seal shoes whereby said sealing surfaces engage said top, bottom,

inner and outer walls of said matrix in sealing relation, said seal shoes being relatively moveable within said housing and relatively moveable with respect to said housing during rotation of said matrix.

4. For a regenerator having a casing including at least two chambers, said casing including a cylindrical regenerator having a permeable cylindrical matrix rotatable through said chambers; said matrix including top and bottom walls and inner and outer circumferential walls, a seal connected to said casing and associated with said matrix for sealing one of said chambers from the other comprising; a housing, said housing including spaced inner and outer walls and first and second laterally spaced side members connected to said inner and outer walls of said housing, and top and bottom members connecting said housing walls and said side members, said side members having first and second circumferential-ly "aligned openings conforming to the wall-s of said matrix and providing passage means for said rotatable matrix, said first side member having a rst seal facing inwardly into said housing and being coextensive around said first opening, said second side member having a second seal facing inwardly into said housing and bein-g coextensive around said second opening, an inner seal shoe within said housing adjacent the inner circumferential wall of said matrix, an outer seal shoe within the housing adjacent the outer circumferential wall of said matrix, upper and lower seal shoes within said housing, said shoes having opposite sides, said iirst and second seals engaging said opposite sides of all said seal shoes in sealing relation, a sealing surface on each of said seal shoes, land means connecting said seal shoes whereby said sealing surfaces engage said top, bottom, inner and outer Walls of said matrix in sealing relation.

5. For a regenerator having a casing including at least two chambers, said casing including a cylindrical regenerator having a permeable cylindrical matrix rotatable through said chambers; said matrix including top and bottom walls and inner and outer circumferential walls, a seal connected to said casing and associated with said matrix for sealing one of said chambers from the other comprising; a housing, said housing including spaced inner and outer walls and first and second laterally spaced side members connected to said inner and outer walls of said housing, and top and bottom members connecting said housing walls and said side members, said side members having first and second circu'mferentially aligned openings conforming to the -wall of said matrix `and providing passage means for said rotatable matrix, an inner seal shoe within said housing adjacent the inner circumferential wall of said matrix, an outer' -seal shoe within the housing adjacent the cuter circumferential wall of said matrix, upper and lower seal shoes within said housing, first `and second seals supported respectively on said rst and second side members, said first and second seals being respectively coextensive around said iirst and second openings, each seal shoe having iirst and second opposite sides respectively engaged by said first and second seals in ysealing relation, a sealing surface on each of said seal shoes, and resilient means connecting said seal shoes whereby said sealing surfaces engage said top, bottom, inner and outer walls of said matrix in sealing relation, and said resilient means supporting said seal on said matrix within said housing, 'and said seal shoes during rotation of said matrix being floatingly movable therewith upwardly and downwardly and radially inwardly and outwardly within said housing.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,692,760 Flurschutz Oct. 26, 1954 2,766,970 Horn Oct. 16, 1956 2,865,611 Bentele Dec. 23, 1958 2,880,972 Williams Apr. 7, 1959 2,893,699 Bubniak July 7, 1959 2,932,492 Lange Apr. 12, 1960 2,945,681 Burcheld July 19, 1960 3,027,144 Hess et al. Mar. 27, 1962 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,134,179 France Nov. 26, 1956 1,153,180 France Sept. 23 ,1957 (Corresponding British Patent 831,966, Apr. 6, 1960) 1,171,425 France Oct. 8, 1958 

4. FOR A REGENERATOR HAVING A CASING INCLUDING AT LEAST TWO CHAMBERS, SAID CASING INCLUDING A CYLINDRICAL REGENERATOR HAVING A PERMEABLE CYLINDRICAL MATRIX ROTATABLE THROUGH SAID CHAMBERS; SAID MATRIX INCLUDING TOP AND BOTTOM WALLS AND INNER AND OUTER CIRCUMFERENTIAL WALLS, A SEAL CONNECTED TO SAID CASING AND ASSOCIATED WITH SAID MATRIX FOR SEALING ONE OF SAID CHAMBERS FROM THE OTHER COMPRISING; A HOUSING, SAID HOUSING INCLUDING SPACED INNER AND OUTER WALLS AND FIRST AND SECOND LATERALLY SPACED SIDE MEMBERS CONNECTED TO SAID INNER AND OUTER WALLS OF SAID HOUSING, AND TOP AND BOTTOM MEMBERS CONNECTING SAID HOUSING WALLS AND SAID SIDE MEMBERS, SAID SIDE MEMBERS HAVING FIRST AND SECOND CIRCUMFERENTIALLY ALIGNED OPENINGS CONFORMING TO THE WALLS OF SAID MATRIX AND PROVIDING PASSAGE MEANS FOR SAID ROTATABLE MATRIX, SAID FIRST SIDE MEMBER HAVING A FIRST SEAL FACING INWARDLY INTO SAID HOUSING AND BEING COEXTENSIVE AROUND SAID FIRST OPENING, SAID SECOND SIDE MEMBER HAVING A SECOND SEAL FACING INWARDLY INTO SAID HOUSING AND BEING COEXTENSIVE AROUND SAID SECOND OPENING, AN INNER SEAL SHOE WITHIN SAID HOUSING ADJACENT THE INNER CIRCUMFERENTIAL WALL OF SAID MATRIX, AN OUTER SEAL SHOE WITHIN THE HOUSING ADJACENT THE OUTER CIRCUMFERENTIAL WALL OF SAID MATRIX, UPPER AND LOWER SEAL SHOES WITHIN SAID HOUSING, SAID SHOES HAVING OPPOSITE SIDES, SAID FIRST AND SECOND SEALS ENGAGING SAID OPPOSITE SIDES OF ALL SAID SEAL SHOES IN SEALING RELATION, A SEALING SURFACE ON EACH OF SAID SEAL SHOES, AND MEANS CONNECTING SAID SEAL SHOES WHEREBY SAID SEALING SURFACES ENGAGE SAID TOP, BOTTOM, INNER AND OUTER WALLS OF SAID MATRIX IN SEALING RELATION. 